We're pulling agricultural solutions from 2075 into today. Farmers and our planet can't wait 50 years for inevitable innovations - we need people who can collapse that timeline.
Our Mission
Field Zero is an applied research group building agricultural solutions for 2040 and beyond. We're a small team working on fundamental changes that farming will need in 15+ years, not next season. Most ideas will fail - that's part of our process. We're not interested in incremental improvements. We're here to develop transformative changes in how farming works, even if they seem impractical today.
Why a General Application?
While we have specific roles posted, our best candidates don't always fit neat categories. Traditional role descriptions might not capture what makes you exceptional. This application is for people who find themselves constantly working beyond conventional boundaries to solve problems.
Who We Need
You combine deep expertise in at least one domain with the ability to master new fields rapidly. Strong candidates come from diverse paths - PhDs, industry veterans, and self-taught experts have all succeeded here. What sets exceptional candidates apart:
- A bias towards action - you build to test ideas, learn through doing, and take ownership of problems end-to-end
- Independent thinking - you navigate uncertainty without constant guidance
- A track record of completing complex projects and building working solutions, not just theorizing
- An expansive mindset - you view expertise as expandable and think long-term while building in the present
- Demonstrated ability to question established practices and propose improvements
- History of driving positive change within traditional structures
- Passion for transforming systems beyond incremental improvements
Our Approach
We follow Ben Rich's principle that "the fastest path to good solutions is through aggressive elimination of bad ones." This means:
- Immediate engagement with real-world problems
- Rapid prototyping of core concepts
- Real-world testing with participating farmers
- Quick abandonment of non-viable paths
- Focus on practical solutions over theoretical perfection
What You'll Do
You'll work on complex agricultural challenges where solutions aren't obvious. Examples include:
- Developing new approaches to crop protection
- Creating automated systems for precision agriculture
- Designing novel biological control methods
- Building next-generation farming tools
- Reimagining agricultural data systems
Projects span traditional disciplinary boundaries and require rapid learning of new skills.
Our Environment
We operate completely free of bureaucracy. No endless meetings, no approval chains, no death by process. Just the freedom to experiment, build, and solve problems. You'll have:
- Direct access to resources and tools
- Freedom to experiment and test ideas
- Support for rapid prototyping
- One day per week for self-directed projects aligned with our mission
- A structure designed to protect focused work time
Location & Resources
Based in Cambridge, you'll have access to:
- Complete laboratory and prototyping facilities
- World-class agricultural research infrastructure
- Direct connection to farming communities
- Scientific teams for consultation
- Training and conference budgets
- Flexible workspace designed for focused work
- Competitive compensation and customizable benefits
Structure & Recognition
We maintain a flat organization - everyone, including leadership, operates on the same level. Success isn't measured in promotions but in:
- Successful prototypes and solutions
- Patents and publications
- Direct impact on agriculture's future
- Real-world implementation of your innovations
A Note on Our Profile
We maintain a low profile intentionally. While you might not find much about us online, we are:
- Fully funded with strong financial backing
- Offering secure, guaranteed compensation
- Equipped with established facilities and resources
- Building for the long term, with the resources to do it right
Our discretion is about maintaining focus, not hiding instability.
Note
If you see a specific role that matches your expertise, please apply to that posting directly. This general application is for exceptional candidates who don't fit our standard roles.